I will make sure it is stable before flying it. I plan to maybe use a B14 for the first flight, that should have plenty of power while still keeping the aft lightweight. Thanks for the heads up!I built one of those a long time ago. Mine had the the unfortunate habit of going horizontal under power, so I added more weight to the nose until it flew straight, which was 2x to 4x extra, and tied the two parts together, and put in a large parachute, and only flew it on C6-3s.
Of course, YMMV.
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I'd love one with a 24mm motor mount. I built one for a class in 8th grade, but ended up launching something else due to winds. I don't even know what happened to the rocket. I never got to fly it. I think it hanging up in the classroom for a while but I don't know where it ended up.Nice rocket that is a quick but fun build. I'd like to see this one come back someday but with a 24MM mount.
How hard is it to reverse engineer an OOP rocket like this? Same body tubes, fin slots, engine mount, launch lug, recovery system, then get a copy of the fin patterns. If you have a close enough nose, what else do you need? Just a coupler and the decals?One of the few kits I built when I was younger that I actually built 100% on my own and painted myself.
I'd consider building another one, but not for the current market price!
It's not that hard (the nose cone will be kinda iffy, but I'm sure if I really wanted it, I could find someone to 3D print it), but it's not about building a Sidewinder; it's about building the vintage kit from my childhood.How hard is it to reverse engineer an OOP rocket like this? Same body tubes, fin slots, engine mount, launch lug, recovery system, then get a copy of the fin patterns. If you have a close enough nose, what else do you need? Just a coupler and the decals?
My philosophy is if I like the design I want to build something that looks like it, and I build it to launch. I don't worry about whether it is 100% accurate, if it looks like the original then that's sufficient for something I'm going to launch.How hard is it to reverse engineer an OOP rocket like this? Same body tubes, fin slots, engine mount, launch lug, recovery system, then get a copy of the fin patterns. If you have a close enough nose, what else do you need? Just a coupler and the decals?
When applying those cardstock wraps, split them in half thickness wise. It will make for an smoother wrap around the tube without big creases. Cheers!In the fall, I stopped by a local launch on the way back from vacation. They had an OOP estes sidewinder for ONLY 10 BUCKS. I had to get it. Here's the build thread. So far I've only cut out the fins. More updates to come.
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If you think 24mm is the shizzle, then you will love my 38mm mounted Sidewinder... (Built but I need to wait until spring to paint!)I'd love one with a 24mm motor mount. I built one for a class in 8th grade, but ended up launching something else due to winds. I don't even know what happened to the rocket. I never got to fly it. I think it hanging up in the classroom for a while but I don't know where it ended up.
Those fins are prime candidates for papering (which is what I did). Any time you have edge gluing of composite fins, consider papering them to provide additional strength.Nose/ canard fin assembly glued together
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Main fin parts glued together
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Oops! A little too late for that now. Cardstock details, launch lugs, and shock cord are now in. I will think about that next time!Those fins are prime candidates for papering (which is what I did). Any time you have edge gluing of composite fins, consider papering them to provide additional strength.
Same thing for this. A little too late! It turned out pretty well anyway, though. Next comes the paint!When applying those cardstock wraps, split them in half thickness wise. It will make for an smoother wrap around the tube without big creases. Cheers!